Impact of Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shepherd’s Purse) Herbal Tea Preparations on Symptoms and Severity of Hemorrhoidal Disease: A Prospective Randomized Study

Abstract

Objective: Medicinal herbs have been used to treat hemorrhoidal diseases since old times. Given its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shepherd’s purse) may potentially lead to regression of the hemorrhoidal plexuses. In this context, the objective of this study is to investigate the effect of Shepherd’s purse on the severity and physical examination findings of hemorrhoidal disease in patients.
 Materials-Methods: The patients were randomized into two groups: the control group (conservative treatment only for three months), and the study group (conservative treatment and Shepherd’s purse for three months).
 Results: The study sample consisted of a total of 218 patients who were randomized into the study and control groups, with 109 patients in each group. The mean age of the patients in the patient and control groups were 35.5±11.7 and 39.5±14.6, respectively, referring to a significant difference between the groups (p=0.030). At the 3rd-month follow-up examination, it was determined that there were significantly fewer patients with bleeding and difficulty during defecation in the study group compared to the control group (p=0.001). Patients in the study group had significantly lower VAS scores for pain and the number of affected quadrants compared to the control group (p